From Star Player to Star Maker: The Mindset Shift Every New Leader Must Make

Making the leap from individual contributor to leading a group of individuals is tricky. That’s because you are caught in a Catch-22. If your situation is like that of most people leaders, then you were probably promoted on the merit of your own work.

But now, as a leader, your job isn’t about doing great work yourself. Now, your job is to create an environment where others can do great work.

This is where I’ve seen many new leaders struggle. As an A-plus employee, your instinct is to keep proving yourself, to stay hands-on, to continue excelling as a "solo artist." This seems logical because this is what got you promoted in the first place. But if you don’t shift gears, you’ll end up stuck. You'll quickly find yourself overworked, overwhelmed, and unintentionally holding your team back.

How to Bridge the Gap

If you’re adjusting to this transition, you’re not alone. A CareerBuilder survey found that 58% of managers never received any training to help them in their new roles, leading to feelings of unpreparedness and challenges in their leadership practices. To pivot successfully, it's crucial to shift your focus from personal achievement to empowering your team, fostering an environment where everyone can excel.

1. Measure Your Wins Differently

Before leadership, your success was easy to measure: finish the project, land the client, hit the goal. Now? Your success is measured by your team’s success.

As you reflect on and chart progress, instead of asking, “How am I doing?” start asking:

? Are my team members clear on their goals?

? Are they developing new skills?

? Do they feel supported and motivated?

A strong leader’s impact isn’t found in their personal achievements—it’s found in the growth and performance of their team.

2. Step Back from the Spotlight

It’s tempting to stay in the action, to keep doing what you’re great at. But if you’re always the star, your team never gets the chance to shine. (#passtheball)

Your role now is to:

? Delegate real responsibility—not just busywork

? Create opportunities for your team to lead

? Celebrate and highlight their achievements

When your team wins, you win. Your leadership is reflected in how well others perform, not in how much you personally accomplish.

3. Don’t Just Direct. Coach.

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about helping others develop their own. Instead of jumping in to solve problems, guide your team with thoughtful questions:

Instead of: "Here’s how I would do it," Try: "What approach do you think would work best?"

Instead of: "Let me fix this for you," Try: "What do you think went wrong, and how can we adjust next time?"

The best leaders don’t just manage tasks—they develop people.

Closing Thought

The best leaders elevate their people, not just themselves. When you invest in your team’s growth—through coaching, mentorship, and clear expectations—they perform better and feel more engaged.

So if you’re stepping into leadership, remember: your job isn’t to be the best player anymore. Your job is to build the best team. When you do that, success follows—for them, for you, and for the entire organization.

As the owner of CoWorks Leadership Strategists, Jay offers interactive virtual and in-person workshops on leadership and teamwork essentials.